Today in Detroit history: 1951 - Mammoth parade highlights Detroit's 250th birthday party

The 250th Detroit birthday in 1951 was marked with a long list of celebrations during the year, including the beginnings of the downtown Civic Center. Planning began for a new convention center, which was later named after Mayor Albert Cobo.

The new City-County Building, the new Detroit Historical Museum, the International Institute, and the Kresge Science Library at Wayne State University were dedicated or formally opened during the festival year.


The U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative three-cent stamp, “Landing of Cadillac.” Within a week, over 2 million stamps were sold.

Detroit Mayor Albert Cobo addresses the crowds at Detroit's 250th birthday celebration. To the right of Cobo is President Harry S. Truman and Michigan Gov. G. Mennen Williams .

On July 28, the final day of the 250th birthday bash, President Harry S Truman spoke at City Hall. Afterward, a parade began at 2:30 p.m., and the last unit passed at 7:30 that evening.

Floats depicting Detroit historic events were sponsored by local firms: Briggs, Cadillac, General Motors, S.S. Kresge, Buick, Pontiac, Burroughs, Detroit Edison, Saks Fifth Avenue, Booker T. Washington Trade Association, Ford Motor, Lincoln-Mercury, Kaiser-Frazer, Michigan Consolidated Gas, Oldsmobile, Hudson Motor Car, Dearborn Motors, Chevrolet, Chrysler, AFL and CIO, Nash-Kelvinator, and J.L. Hudson.

*Source: The Detroit News